kissing
12 synonyms for kissing, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The act of touching someone with the lips as a sign of affection.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
smooching
snogging
necking
canoodling
pecking
osculation
caressing
cuddling
petting
snuggling
fondling
How to use kissing
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
kissing distance
kissing booth
Etymology
Comes from Middle English kissynge, cussinde, from Old English cyssende, from Proto-West Germanic *kussijandī, from Proto-Germanic *kussijandz, equivalent to kiss plus -ing. It is a cognate of Saterland Frisian küsjend, Dutch kussend, German Low German küssend, German küssend, Swedish kyssande and Icelandic kyssandi.
Full origin of kissing →Frequently asked questions
What does “kissing” mean?
The word “kissing” means the act of touching someone with the lips as a sign of affection. In plain terms, the activity of kissing, or (as an adjective) very close/touching.
How do you pronounce “kissing”?
“Kissing” is pronounced KIH-sihng (/ˈkɪsɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “kissing” in a sentence?
Here is “kissing” used in a sentence: “There was a lot of kissing and hugging at the airport reunion.”
What part of speech is “kissing”?
Depending on how it is used, “kissing” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “kissing” a common word?
“Kissing” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “kissing” have?
“Kissing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of touching someone with the lips as a sign of affection.
What is the difference between kissing and snogging?
Kissing is the general act of touching someone with the lips as a sign of affection. Snogging is British informal slang for prolonged, passionate kissing, so it names a more specific and casual version of the same thing.
What is the difference between kissing and pecking?
Kissing is the general act of touching someone with the lips in affection, while a peck is a short, light kiss. Pecking therefore describes a quick, casual form of kissing rather than a lingering one.
